Reloader7786
Member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2015
- Messages
- 6
Alright, sanity check here I'm new to this so bear with me.
I'm using Berry's plated bullets, because they are readily available and I don't really need velocities over 1200FPS. I'm using .357 mag cases because I'm shooting a .357 mag revolver and would just assume shoot the magnum loads. I'm using HP-38 powder because I have quite a bit and with the plated bullets don't really need a high velocity round, so I'd like to stick with the HP-38.
My question or discussion is about the powder charge.
Using:
158 Grain Berry's Bullets
5.3 Grains of HP-38 (1/2 way between the cast loads and jacketed).
1.586" OAL
CCI Small Pistol Primers
It shoots quite well, however it feels quite under-powered for a .357 mag load, I'm not looking for a high power load here neither the plated bullets or the HP-38 are the right components for that job.
Berry's mentions to use the low to mid level jacketed load data. I'm also using Berry's in some .38 special loads and I've found that to be the case with the load data for the lead bullets to be so anemic I find myself checking for squibs.
My question comes here, hogdon shows the following:
HP-38 .357 Mag Lead Start: 3.4 Max:5.0
HP-38 .357 Mag HDY XTP Start: 6.2 Max: 6.9
These numbers are significantly separated.
While I've got the hang of rifle reloading where pressure signs are quite easy to pick up on the straight walled handgun calibers are a bit more challenging.
What is the recommended path for me here ? I'm using the Lee Powder disk as it measured the HP-38 quite well, so my next option is about 6 grains which is the bottom end of the published jacketed load, that should be just fine and I'll give that a whirl.
What process do any of you out there who shoot plated bullets use when you run into these situations where the loading data isn't obvious ?
I'm using Berry's plated bullets, because they are readily available and I don't really need velocities over 1200FPS. I'm using .357 mag cases because I'm shooting a .357 mag revolver and would just assume shoot the magnum loads. I'm using HP-38 powder because I have quite a bit and with the plated bullets don't really need a high velocity round, so I'd like to stick with the HP-38.
My question or discussion is about the powder charge.
Using:
158 Grain Berry's Bullets
5.3 Grains of HP-38 (1/2 way between the cast loads and jacketed).
1.586" OAL
CCI Small Pistol Primers
It shoots quite well, however it feels quite under-powered for a .357 mag load, I'm not looking for a high power load here neither the plated bullets or the HP-38 are the right components for that job.
Berry's mentions to use the low to mid level jacketed load data. I'm also using Berry's in some .38 special loads and I've found that to be the case with the load data for the lead bullets to be so anemic I find myself checking for squibs.
My question comes here, hogdon shows the following:
HP-38 .357 Mag Lead Start: 3.4 Max:5.0
HP-38 .357 Mag HDY XTP Start: 6.2 Max: 6.9
These numbers are significantly separated.
While I've got the hang of rifle reloading where pressure signs are quite easy to pick up on the straight walled handgun calibers are a bit more challenging.
What is the recommended path for me here ? I'm using the Lee Powder disk as it measured the HP-38 quite well, so my next option is about 6 grains which is the bottom end of the published jacketed load, that should be just fine and I'll give that a whirl.
What process do any of you out there who shoot plated bullets use when you run into these situations where the loading data isn't obvious ?